Take a chilly dip in Whatcom waters New Year’s day

Lance Romo, recreation coordinator for the city of Bellingham, became involved in the Resolution Run and Padden Polar Dip when swim coach Jim Williams came to the city in 2003 and expressed interest in putting the event together.

“My primary role is to keep it safe, remove waste and give structure to the experience,” Romo says. “A dip on the first is a great alternative to some of the more traditional celebrations that are difficult for families.”

“The water is cold, no getting around that,” Romo says. “It’s worth noting that people exiting the water are smiling; all of them are smiling and a lot of them come back year after year. There’s got to be something to it. I encourage people to come to watch, but bring a swim suit, towel and shoes that can get wet — just in case.”

He urges the dippers to carpool and to think about their feet.

“Those rocks that are so unpleasant to run on in the summer are even more unpleasant in the winter,” he says. “Wear shoes.”

There will be hot drinks and swag for participants.

Sarah Weightman, executive director of Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce and coordinator for the Polar Bear Plunge, says local residents started the Birch Bay event began in 1982 on a dare.

The ritual draws hundreds of people from as far away as Spain, Tokyo and Dubai, as well as thousands of onlookers.

There are prizes for Best Child Costume for those 12 and younger, Most Unique Costume, Best Individual Costume, and Best Group Costume. Sorry, no awards are given for length of time in the water.

“We love our ‘plungers as well as our ‘honorary lifeguards’ — our spectators,” Weightman says. And she adds, “Birch Bay is known for having the warmest waters north of San Diego.”

This story was originally published December 31, 2015 at 4:01 AM with the headline "Take a chilly dip in Whatcom waters New Year’s day."